The European Commission is planning to let some travellers apply for a Schengen visa that could last up to 10 years, instead of the current five-year limit.
In a plan presented at the end of January, the Commission said the longer visas would be for people it sees as “trustworthy”. This means travellers who have already used several visas in the past without breaking any rules and who are not seen as likely to overstay.
The visa would not be automatic. It would be aimed at regular visitors, such as tourists and business people, who have a good travel record. Officials say this would make repeat trips to Europe easier and cut down paperwork for consulates.
Money is also a key reason behind the plan. The EU wants to stay competitive with other big travel destinations that already offer long-term visas. Tourism makes up about 10% of the EU’s economy and supports millions of jobs. Business travellers also spend large amounts of money.
The exact rules for the new visas will depend on technical details, including how long travellers’ fingerprint and photo data can be kept in EU border systems. The plan is part of a wider move to make the whole visa process digital. Paper visa stickers would slowly be replaced with online visas to make the system simpler and more secure.
At the same time, the EU says visa rules will still be used to control migration and manage relations with other countries. Easier access could depend on whether countries agree to take back their citizens who are staying in Europe illegally. The longer visas could also be stopped if there are security concerns or political problems.
There is no fixed date yet for when the changes could start. The European Commission must first suggest changes to EU visa law and agree them with member states. If approved, the plan would change how the Schengen area deals with frequent travellers.
